I originally posted this on another thread, but giving the matter some thought I thought it might be neat to hear what others of various generations and locales thought of the Great Republican. I was 9 when he became president so I didn't experience Hollywood Reagan (political version aside lol), and he never seemed like as much of a joke to me. However, I recall many of the adults remarking about "Bedtime for Bonzo" and whatnot, so it wasn't completely foreign for me — just not quite tangible. But growing up with his presidency as I did, and despite his comforting uncle persona, I was able to take note of his many missteps and outright crimes while in office. Some good stuff, sure, but a lot of bad too, along with heaps of irresponsible shenanigans he shouldn't have gotten away with. He got by with a lot due to his enormous popularity, and the times we were living in. Fast forward to the younger generations, the ones who never experienced his administration, and you've got this cult of personality where Saint Reagan is the pinacle of all things conservative (he wasn't). And folks like Obama (Obama! Who clearly should've known better!) talking him up adds even more fuel to that bizarro fire. So what did you think of Reagan? What was your perspective? Did you grow up with his movies, or experience his Governorship in California? Is he just a historical figure for you?
Tell a lie enough times................................... There is a wonderful book by Will Bunch called "Tear Down This Myth ". It is well written and factual. The author points out things he did well and sites sources. It also points out the many things for which Reagan was given credit in which he actually had no part. I just wish I could get some of my Reagan worshipping friends to read it. So far, none have taken me up on it. I lived in CA during the Reagan years and saw mentally ill people turned into the street, tuition at State Universities, personal income tax. Taxes went up; services went down. Recently I had a friend tell me to let the Reagans go; it is past history. Not for us! As a direct result of His union busting and deregulation; my husband lost his job of 14 years to a hostile takeover. Nearly 30 years later we are retired. Our Social Security is far less than it would have been. His pension would have been about 3X what it is had he been there 15 years. And let's not even get into the loss of medical benefits. So the Reagan administration is very much with us today. Oh, and I thought he was a lousy actor who made stupid movies.
